Loo-Lee.com

I've seriously started tuning out Palm Pre rumors. There just seems to be a new one everyday by all sorts of gossip mongers, predicting this or that. But when the New York Times offers a projection, that's a whole other ball game.



While reporting on a hot summer season of knock-out phones yesterday, the 150-plus-year-old institution suggested the Pre will be launched during the first week of June. Did we all know this? Well, sorta. We sure guessed it could be true. After all, that's just before Apple's WWDC, the highly anticipated event starting on June 8th, when the entire mobile phone industry believes the new iPhone(s) will be unveiled. But there's nothing like having "The Gray Lady" stand behind it.

In addition, according to the Wall Street Journal, Wal Mart is claiming that the Pre will be heading to its electronics aisle shortly. That's news. The rumor mill pegged Best Buy as the destination. But, as PhoneArena reports, the word "exclusive" was never used, at least not for big-box retail. As for carriers, the scuttlebutt is that Sprint will be the only U.S. service provider for the device until the end of the year.

But for now, says BoyGenius Report, keep your eyes and ears peeled between June 5th and the 7th. That's when the device will probably (finally) launch.

That is such sweet timing. My birthday's on June 4. Between Apple and Palm, looks like I'm going get some awesome presents in the way of juicy handset debuts.

[The New York Times via BoyGenius Report, The Wall Street Journal via PhoneArena]

When Aaron picked up the story from BoyGenius Report back on April 13, I thought someone was playing a joke on BGR. A Nokia phone with an unusual swiveling form factor depicted in an illustrated mock-up only, with no known specs, pics, estimated launch date, model number or even nickname? And it was tipped off by an anonymous source? Yeah, right. I'll be sure to hold my breath for this to arrive.

Well, it looks like I'll be able to exhale soon. That funky little Nokia phone — model number RM-526 — just passed the FCC.





So now, a couple more details have emerged. The technology inside the device — which features dual-band CDMA/EVDO, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and software version VN_2040T13_VZW_108 — doesn't look like it will knock anyone's socks off, but if you're more into looks than function, then its avant-guard styling might be up your alley.

As previously reported, the RM-526 is indeed heading to Verizon Wireless. (Hmmm. Back when I was with Big Red, we subscribers had awesome coverage, but a really dismally ordinary selection of handsets. Definitely nothing this unique or interesting.) Not sure if I love this phone, but I like that my old carrier is at least trying on some new things.

The launch date is still unconfirmed, but it looks like the device might arrive at some point during the summer.

[via BoyGenius Report]

Let's face it; not everyone is a die-hard phone user that switches their phone every few months.  Many do keep their devices for the full span of the two-year agreement, and are plagued by battery problems as their final months with their carrier come to a close.  Forced with few choices, the customer can either upgrade their device and lock themselves into another two-year agreement, buy a device for full retail price and retain their existing agreement terms, or purchase a new battery at approximately $60.

US Cellular has launched a new initiative that will allow subscribers to come into a corporate retail store and replace their dead or dying battery for a new one, provided that the device is less than 18 months old.  "Our Battery Swap program is perfect for people who depend on their wireless devices as their lifelines, such as business people, parents, not to mention heavy users who drain their battery daily," said Jay Ellison, executive vice president and COO of U.S. Cellular. "We're offering this service to help our customers stay connected."

The company also offered suggestions to improve battery life, such as powering the device off while charging and power cycling from time to time.  This is a fantastic idea in my opinion; it is an incredible customer service gesture, and could lower churn while providing a relatively inexpensive marketing tool for the company.

Source: Mobility Digest

They're not exactly ground breaking in terms of features and specifications, but the three entry-level devices announced by Nokia today offer phones geared around social networking a place in emerging markets:



Offering access to e-mail in "three easy steps" via Ovi Mail, the Nokia 2720 offers Bluetooth, Nokia Life Tools (in "select markets"), MP3 ringtones, and an FM tuner.  It will hit markets in Q3 2009 for 55€ ($74 USD). 



Offered as the cheapest 3G device in Nokia's current lineup, the Nokia 2730 classic sports a 2-inch QVGA display and offers a 2 megapixel camera, FM tuner, Ovi Mail, and Bluetooth.  It will also launch in Q3 2009 for 55€ ($74 USD).



Like the Nokia 7205 in the United States, the Nokia 7020 offers a monochrome external display, 2.2-inch internal color display, microSD card slot with support for up to 16GB cards, 2 megapixel camera, FM tuner, and MP3 playback.  Out of the three, the 7020 focuses the most on social networking, with the Ovi Store, Nokia Messaging, Opera Mini, Nokia Maps, Nokia Life Tools, Ovi Share, Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube all coming preloaded on the device in some form.  Expect the device to launch for 90€ ($121 USD) in Q4 2009.

Source: BGR

I missed putting up the silly Monday post last week due to internet problems. When I finally got back in, what did I find but this classic commercial for Centel. (Who?) The deets on the YouTube page assert that it's the first cell phone ad. I can believe it, what with the cheesy music and big honking brick of a mobile.

So as we wait for the next generation of phones to arrive — whether that's the N97, Palm Pre, new iPhone, or other — let's pay homage to one of the first. (Seriously, it's amazing how far this technology's come. Back in the day, my dad actually had an over-the-shoulder slung bag phone. Does anyone remember them?)

To start time tripping, click the vid below:

Everyone knows that talking on a phone while driving is dangerous. But texting while driving? That's just insane. Case in point: A recent incident involved a Boston trolley driver who, distracted by text messaging on his cell phone, caused a horrendous train accident on May 8. The accident injured 50 people and cost 9.6 million dollars in damages.

Now it looks like everyday people have stopped complaining about the behavior and finally decided to do something about it. And this, I've got to say, is probably one of the most creative and effective ways to get the message across.

Eagle Valley's Vail Christian High School has devised an educational exercise that uses a Nintendo Wii loaded with Mario Kart as a driving simulator.



Students have one hand on the wheel and another on a cell phone while trying to navigate the game's driving course. Sure, there are no shells thrown onto the road in real life or warp thresholds that auto accelerate cars through space, but the kids still got the point.  

For now, only 5 states — California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia — outlaw all handheld cell phone use, though 11 states, plus D.C., have banned text-messaging behind the wheel.

After I finished reading the item on Vail Christian High School, another text-themed story popped into my RSS feed. A new trend for classical music concerts is to allow audiences to vote for selections at the symphony via text message. So now, concert-goers are actually encouraged to turn on their cell phones at performances. Nice.  

Judicious (and clever) use of text messaging = good
Bone-headed, disaster-prone texting = bad (and hopefully illegal everywhere soon)

[9News via Gizmodo; The New York Times]

The enV3 may be coming out in a couple of weeks, but still there are plenty of people waiting for the enV Touch (VX11000), aka the Verizon-bound Voyager 2, the ascending replacement for the original Voyager.

There haven't been a whole lot of details about the enV Touch — until now. It appears that some specs have leaked, courtesy of some sneaky little tipster getting his hands on the Verizon Equipment Guide.

Here's some scoop:
•Dual WVGA displays
•3.2 MP autofocus camera with LED flash and Schneider Kreuznach lens
•Full QWERTY keyboard
•3.5mm headset jack
•Stereo speakers
•Bluetooth
•microSDHC (support up to 16GB)

In addition, the gossip hounds are all reporting that the handset will feature a touch menu that's similar to the first Voyager, with 5 onscreen icons for Messaging, Dial Pad, Contacts List, and Favorites. The Favorites menu will show a big improvement, with 15 shortcuts, plus media like pics, vids, music, and web favorites. 

The enV Touch's release date is still not known, but there's not much hope about it coming soon. It was left off of the latest Verizon rebate sheet, which remains valid until June 4th. So it will probably be at least that long.

For more, look below at the grabs from the Equipment Guide, courtesy of PhoneArena.










[via Gizmodo, PhoneArena, BoyGenius Report]